As often is the case, my Equipper blogs are either directly or indirectly related to ministry areas I led in the past or am currently ministering in. After almost 25 years with BBM, helping churches through difficult transitions, we have never seen a church close the doors.
We have had a few times it felt like we were working with a church on “Life support.” But we have never seen the church “pull the plug.” Unfortunately, there are situations when it may be that time. Currently a church we have been working with for an extended time may need to face that decision. Before they “pull the plug,” I am suggesting a few considerations and/or options.
Consideration #1 – Is there a need to preserve a witness in the community and/or at the location of the church? When there is no church that is making a biblical impact in the immediate area, all options need to be considered to revitalize and/or replant the church.
Consideration # 2 – Who should be making the decisions to pull the plug? When churches are on “life support” one of the reasons they are dying is the lack of leadership. A church that is willing to allow an outside management team to make the call may find a solution. Turning decision making over can be a difficult choice but it is another reminder that there is wisdom in many counselors (Proverbs 11:14).
Consideration # 3 – Can the remaining assets of facilities, people, and finances be used to establish a new or renewed church at that location? The call to stewardship includes using what God has given even through the time of making final arrangements.
Consideration # 4 – Is there a willingness to step out in faith and risk all by allowing a new leadership team to use the assets in seeking to replant a church at that location? Actually, there is little risk if the church is already facing closing the doors. Often, even though closing the doors seems likely, there are some who still want to hold onto the bank account. Why not consider taking the risk with all assets and step out in faith?
The Key points for a church on “life support” are:
Preserving a witness in the community may be the only reason to not pull the plug.
There needs to be a willingness to let “the doctors” make the call. There needs to be an admission that other leaders may be better qualified to make the crucial calls.
A first option should be finding another growing church or association of churches to establish a church at the location unless there is an opportunity to merge locally.
When the Lord resurrects a church it calls for surrendering all. The first commandment calls us to love the Lord with all. Simply put, we need to be ready to go all in without holding back any reserve. This obviously means taking risk.
Let me close this blog with a request for prayer that the church we are currently working with can become “resurrected” (revitalized and/or replanted) into a church that is making an impact for God’s kingdom.